Real Madrid were staring down the barrel once more when they went behind to Deportivo before finally starting to show off their firepower as Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo both struck twice in a savage seven-goal response.

Adrian López's opener from Arsenal loanee Lucas Perez's cross gave a desperate Depor a shock lead even considering Madrid's current plight.

Yet for once, the Spanish and European champions reacted like you would expect.

Nacho buried Marcelo's cut-back to level before Bale took centre stage with two very different trademark goals.

First he used his trusty left foot to wrap around the ball and curl it into the top corner just before the break.

3. BBC back together

When Karim Benzema replaced Borja Mayoral 25 minutes from time it was the first time all season he, Ronaldo and Bale had been on the pitch together all season.

Injuries have been one of many contributing factors to Madrid's incredible slump from the standards set last season.

But with Benzema and Bale now back, there is still a chance of Champions League redemption.

4. More like Marcelo

Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal in action (Image: REUTERS)

One of those first in the firing line as a culprit of Madrid's crisis has been Marcelo.

The Brazilian, so brilliant last season, has been questioned for his attitude in lax defensive displays as both Celta Vigo and Villarreal took advantage in recent weeks.

However, the truth is even at his best, Marcelo has never been a great defender. What has made him great is that his attacking output normally outdoes any defensive lapses.

This was much more like the Marcelo of old as he provided both crosses for Madrid's first two goals and was unlucky not to grab a couple of his own with fierce drives that Ruben turned onto the post and flew just wide respectively.

5. Depor rely on trident

There was a time when this was a regular top-of-the-table clash, but Real's struggles of late pale into comparison next to Deportivo's slump since the days of 'super Depor' in the early 2000s.

The Galicians haven't finished above 15th in seven seasons, including two spells in the second division.Once again they are lagging in the relegation zone, but the move for their opener showed why there should still be hope despite a run of one win in 10 games.

In Arsenal loanee Lucas Perez, a La Liga winner with Atletico in Adrian and Florin Andone, a longtime target for a host of Premier League clubs, they have far more firepower than the likes of Levante, Las Palmas and Malaga in the battle for survival.